The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-09-28

aWet blanket The belief also remains that the
the Thistle are mostly fiction, ana that the Vol
nnteer can defeat her in any wind or any sea-
Details of the Sailing.
To the Western Associated Press.
New YORK, Sept. 27.-The Scotch cutter
Thistle and the American sloop Volunteer have
met in the first race of the 1887 contest for the
Americas cup. and the Volunteer beat the for
eigner so badly that the latters most enthusi-
astic champions have only to say that something
inexplicabie Is the matter with the Thistle
From early morning there was sign of breeze
and dirty haze hung over the water, indicative
OF continuously thick atmosphere and poor
view OF the race. With favor
able surroundings, the race would
have been started at half past ten o'clock
this morning, but at that hour there was not
air enough TO blow match ont. and the judges
on Commodore Gerrys Electra waited to
start tho racers until there should appear q
chance of getting the boats over the course in
the prescribed seven hours. That appearance
did not come until noon. At that time ripple
came over the water from the southwark and
eastward and the signal was given to clear the
course. The Thistle and Volunteer had come
out from their respective anchorages off Tomp-
kinsville. Staten Island, and Bayridge, and
were luffing about north of the line that had been
formed between the Electra and Buoy l8, op-
posite Owls Head and Long Island. TheThistle
moved about in a very lively fashion in the light
air. She appeared to take much pleasure In
running around the Volunteer. which she did
probation from the admring spectators. all of
whom seemed confident and willing that she
should win the first race. At 1920 the Electra
fired the preparatory gun, and at 1880 the gun
to start After the latter the yachts had five
minutes to cross the line. If either had taken
longer than five minutes her time of
the expiration of the five minutes.
The boats crossed az follows: Thistle, l233:06;
Volunteer, 12:34:5s. The Thistle not only had
the nearer position when the order to start
gwen. but she went through the water
faster She got over the line ono minute and
ffty-two seconds ahead The eight miles an
east. and the yachts had to sail close on the
wind for the first mark-Buoy 10.
the southwest. which bore south
by west. eight and one-half miles away.
They went over in the port track, and at
once the Volunteer began to overhaul the This
tie. The first tack was in toward Clifton, Staten
less. the Volunteer showed superiority over
the Thistle in weather that had been written
dcwn as the foreigners best that left no doubsof
the result. The Volunteer went by the Cutter
stayed in front to tho end. The Thistle was more
than little bothered by the excursion boats on
gave her much swash, but after that the steam
hung to the Volunteer, the leader. and
throughout the rest OF the day she suffered three
times, at least, az much the Thistle did from
'''ss~N
the wind. It was no longer q race. 1t was
procession. The wind varied in locality and
strength. It shifted between southeast and
southwest and sometimes one boat had it when
the other did not. The result was q most de-
cisive victory for the American sloop.
Beating, stretching and running with free
sheets, the Volunteer outsailed the Thistle. On
the run homo ehe lost ground largely on ac-
count Of the way the accompanying craft blank
eted her. The first point Buoy 10. was reached
beat. Buoy was fetched On a stretch, as
the Sandy Hook ght-ship-the outer mark.
From the light-ship back to Buoy 10 was
a beam wind and from there home. to Buoy 10,
off Ft. Wadsworth, is was clean run before the
wind, with spinnakers set. Total distance thir.
ty-eight statute miles. Everywhere, except on
the run with spinnakers, whers the excursion
boats did so much to keep the wind from her.
the Volunteer outssiled her antagonist Further
description of the race would only be a repeti-
ton OF the above.
T5isis 1866 sss5s Sssas ssas aoi1s soi1s
Finish FIagsed 4Igs c015sss'd Ti,ss
xounteer-------. 5:5el6 4;53:ls 4:53:l8
Thistle .-----.--- 5:4o:oo o:IZ:4| o:lZ:4z
The Volunteer beat the Thistle 1929, actual
time, and 1924, corrected time, as the Volunteer
gave the Thistle five seconds time allowance.
The Cup.
The contest for the ownership Of this cup has
been going on since 1851. The cup was origin
ally the One Hundred Guinea cup. which was
regatta around the Isle of Wight. The race was
open to all nations and to all sorts and condi-
tions of vessels from a catboat to schooner.
The rule was to come out ahead, no matter by
what means. In 1851 great international fair
was opened in London. and among other things
sent over from our country a sample of our
pilot boats. The Mary Taylor had made q great
stir in the marine world. Her performance
excited the English greatly and John c.
Stevens commodore of the New York Yacht
club, determ ined to let the British see what we
could do in the way of a schooner. The Amer
lea was the result. She sailed for the other side
under the direction of Captain Richard Brown.
Commodore Stevens and quite party went TOO.
A trial race took place between her and the
Laverock. considered the swiftest boat in
England. but the latter was badly distanced.
Thus put their mette the English deter
ha1sras rhs Amsriea ns "'.1e entered the
rsasN' ersat race go Aug. p, 1851 There
were ten cutters and eight schooners in!the race
when it began at 10 o'clock, but when ii finished
at s:35 p NJ the America and the cutter Aurora
were the only ones that were in sight The cup
came to this country and was kept by the own
ers till July g. 1857. Tnen it became the Amer
ica's cup 1t was then presented by deed OF
trust to the New York Yacht Club. The condi-
tions under which it was given were that any
organized yacht club, through one or more or
its mem hers, should always be entitled to claim
a match for this cup with any yacht of not less
than thirty, nor more than soo tons tons
measured Dy tuc cuSeoiuAouso 1uiSs
Of its country Both sides could
agree TO any match they chose but in case of .
disagreement the match was to be sailed over
the course of the annual regatta OF the club
holding the cup, and. according to that clubs
rules, the challenging party being bound to six
months notice in writing fixing the day he
wished to start. This notice was to contain the
length, custom house measurement, rig and
name OF the vessel. If won il was to be held by
the club only, and on the condition OF keeping it
open forsver to be sailed for by yachts of all
foreign countries upon the terms just men
toned. Foreign yacht clubs were notified or
the terms bus for elsvsn years no one thought
of coming for it,
TILE VESSELS AND CREWS.